Interspecific tree named ‘Ebony Punch’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium size fruit.   3. Fruit with a high degree of attractive dark red skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Ebony Punch’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific and nectarine trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Dapple Supreme’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,412), ‘Amigo III’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,294), the proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selections ‘29MF690A’, ‘69ZN32’, ‘69MD50’, ‘111LT192’ and ‘232LV234’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was developed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. from a first generation cross between our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selections ‘29MF690A’ and ‘69ZN32’. The seed parent (29MF690A) originated from the crosses between our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selection ‘111LT192’ and our proprietary non-patented nectarine seedling selection ‘232LV234’. The pollen parent (69ZN32) originated from a cross between ‘Amigo III’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,294) and the non-patented interspecific seedling selection ‘69MD50’. A large number of these first generation seedlings were grown and budded to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to accelerate rapid fruit production. Under close and careful observation we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present seedling and selected it in 2014 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2014 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of medium size, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterized by its firm red flesh, attractive dark red skin color and very good flavor and eating quality with good handling and storage quality. In comparison to its non-patented interspecific seed parent (29MF690A) the fruit of the new variety has red flesh compared to yellow and is approximately 38 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its non- patented interspecific pollen parent ‘69ZN32’ the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 16 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Dapple Supreme’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,412) the fruit of the new variety is approximately 25 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and             width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with             different cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing             season. Varies slightly with type and fertility of soil,             climatic conditions and cultural practices.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 30°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive             years. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color             and health of fruit spurs.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 400 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium, average circumference 43.2 cm at 25.4 cm above             ground on a 6 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 4/2 to 10YR 2/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 9.4 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 30°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 64 in a 25.8 square cm area.             Average length 2.9 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color varies             from 10YR 6/6 to 10YR 5/6.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Mature             growth varies from 10YR 4/7 to 10YR 2/2, varies with age of             growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 94.4 mm. Average width             33.6 mm.         -   Form.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 12.8 mm. Average width 1.4 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies             from 7.5GY 6/6 to 7.5GY 6/8.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.8 mm.             Average diameter 0.5 mm. Number varies from 1 to 3, average             number 2. Located primarily on the base of the leaf blade             and upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from 7.5GY             6/6 to 7.5GY 6/8.         -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 9.2 mm. Edges —             pectinate. Color varies from 7.5GY 6/6 to 7.5GY 6/8.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 2.5GY 3/4 to 5GY 4/4. Lower             surface varies from 2.5GY 6/4 to 2.5GY 5/4. Midvein color             varies from 10Y 8/4 to 2.5GY 7/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 9.8 mm. Average diameter 4.9             mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Density.—Dense.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.9 mm. Average width 0.9 mm.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY             6/8.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 5 to 7, average number             6. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 8, 2018. Date of             Petal Fall Feb. 18, 2018, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 12.2 mm. Average             diameter 17.3 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —             medium. Average length 11.0 mm. Average width 7.2 mm. Petal             apex — rounded. Petal base- truncate. Form — elliptical.             Arrangement — free. Margin — sinuate. Color N 9.5/(white).             Surface — glabrous.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —             small to medium. Average length 3.3 mm. Average width             2.6 mm. Apex — triangular. Margin — entire. Both upper and             lower surfaces glabrous. Color — upper surface varies from             2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8. Lower surface varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to             5GY 6/8.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 32. Average filament             length 7.6 mm. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color             varies from 5Y 8.5/8 to 5Y 8.5/10.         -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from             2.5Y 7/10 to 2.5Y 6/10.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Average length 9.5 mm.             Position of stigma an average of 1.0 mm below anthers.             Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY             7/6.         -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Pedicel.—Average length 11.6 mm. Average width 0.9 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/8. Surface — glabrous.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 3, varies from             2 to 4. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—May 25, 2018.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 4, 2018, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Medium. Average diameter axially 51.0 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 61.1 mm. Average weight 116.4             grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth.         -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 8.4 mm. Average diameter 4.1 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 16.4 mm. Average             diameter 2.4 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5Y 4/4. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial interspecific             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, having a good balance between acid and             sugar.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 13.0°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5R 4/8 to 7.5R 3/8.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 24.7 mm. Average width 17.5 mm.             Average depth 6.5 mm. Color varies from 10R 5/6 to 2.5YR             4/6. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Slightly waffled.         -   Bloom.—Moderate amount.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 9/4 to 2.5Y 8.5/6.             Overspread with 7.5R 2/6 to 10R 2/6.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.         -   Astringency.—Undetected. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence to flesh.         -   Size.—Medium. Average length 23.7 mm. Average width 16.5 mm.             Average thickness 11.0 mm.         -   Form.—Obovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.4 mm.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 5/6 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 12.3 mm. Average width             9.1 mm. Average depth 5.4 mm.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 8.5/6 to 7.5Y 9/4. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to     42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or     appreciable loss of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh     bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 